Word Origin & History

death O.E. deað, from P.Gmc. *dauthaz, from verbal stem *dau- "die" + *-thuz suffix indicating "act, process, condition." Death's-head, a symbol of mortality, is from 1590s. Death row first recorded 1940s. Death knell is attested from 1814; death penalty from 1875; death rate from 1859. Slang be death on "be very good at" is from 1839. Death wish first recorded 1896. The death-watch beetle (1660s) inhabits houses, makes a ticking noise like a watch, and is superstitiously supposed to portend death.

Example Sentences for death

If he had known it, it was with the Dance of Death on the bridge of Lucerne.

You know we wouldn't think of stopping when it may mean life or death to you.

"Poor chap's only starved to death," said Mrs. Gwilt-Athelstan.

I don't think he ever got over the death of his brother, about a year ago.

He kept no records of birthdays and wedding-anniversaries or the hour of death.

These shrinking hairs, they feared not death, but they seemed to fear Malbone.

But every eye was upon me, and the Church was silent as death, waiting for my rising.

So they waved their hats recklessly and continued to ride to be in at the death.

A telephone message had already told him of the death of Bill Dozier.

But the things are an eyesore, and mother was worrying herself to death about them.